Trains cancelled due to staff shortages on World Cup final day

Hundreds of trains have been cancelled or delayed on Sunday amid staff shortages blamed on the World Cup and hot weather.

Northern services were disrupted on Sunday as fewer train crews than normal agreed to work.

There was a chance that England could have been playing in the World Cup final at 4pm, until the team lost in the semi-finals on Wednesday.

Northern announced more than 170 services will be cancelled on Sunday.

The train operator said it was 'likely' more services will be scrapped, with Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester faring the worst, and Yorkshire also affected.

A spokesman said 'many Northern staff have made themselves unavailable for work' on Sunday.

Staff contracts mean they do not have to work Sundays if they provide seven days' notice.

The Northern spokesman apologised and said: "Unfortunately we have so far had to cancel more than 170 services across our network and it is likely more will be cancelled as we continue to plan our services."